SSV Jahn Regensburg have appointed RB Leipzig under-19 coach Achim Beierlorzer as their new boss, following the departure of Heiko Herrlich.
Beierlorzer has signed a two-year deal, and will be joined as assistant by Mersad Selimbegovic, who steps up from Regensburg’s own under-19s.
The club also confirmed on Monday the signing of Albion Vrenezi from FC Augsburg.
Former Leipzig man in charge
Having guided the Bavarian club into the 2. Bundesliga, Herrlich left to take over at Bayer Leverkusen earlier in June. He leaves his successor with a tough act to follow, having guided the club to two successive promotions in just 18 months in charge.
Beierlorzer leaves Leipzig after three years, having held several roles in that time. Starting out as under-17 coach, he finished his first season in interim charge of the first team after the sacking of Alexander Zorniger. The following year he was assistant to Ralf Rangnick as the club won promotion to the Bundesliga, before managing the under-19s last season.
Before that, he had been under-17 coach at SpVgg Greuther Fürth, where he also spent six years of his playing career, whilst his only other managerial experience came at fourth-tier club SC 04 Schwabach in the 2001-02 season.
A perfect fit for the club
Speaking at the 49-year-old’s unveiling on Monday, managing director of professional football Christian Keller said that the 49-year-old fitted with the club’s idea of the game and that “he can systematically lead players forward in their development.” He added that the new boss shared the characteristics of the club – “ambition, down-to-earthness and credibility.”
Beierlorzer meanwhile said that he “never concealed” his desire to manage a professional team permanently, and that “it was clear” that Regensburg had presented him with “the right time and the right situation.” He believes that next season will be “challenging” but added that he was “looking forward to [it] very much.”
The club meanwhile confirmed that coach Andreas Gehlen and goalkeeping coach Kristian Barbuscak would be part of Bierlorzer’s team, as would Selimbegovic, who as a player had been part of the last Regensburg squad that win promotion form the 3. Liga five years ago, before hanging up his boots.
Vrenezi becomes the fifth new player
And in a busy day for Regensburg, they also confirmed Kosovan winger Vrenezi as their fifth new signing of the summer from Augsburg.
Although he was never involved with the first team at the WWK-Arena, he did make 63 appearances for their second team in the Regionalliga Bayern, and comes in off the back of a productive season, with nine goals and nine assists in 32 games.
Keller said that Vrenezi had been “one of the most striking wingers” in all of Germany’s fourth-tier last season, added that “he is fast, mobile, technically skilled and knows where the goal is.” After attracting interest from other 2. Bundesliga clubs, they are confident that he is ready for the step up to that level.
Like his new boss the 23-year-old has signed until 2019. He joins Sargis Adamyan, Patrick Dzalto (who had been on loan with Regensburg last season) and Jonas Nietfeld in signing permanently for the club this summer, with Sebastian Stolze also arriving on loan from VfL Wolfsburg.
Quotes via SSV Jahn Regensburg.